Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for COLLECTORS HOME returned 92 results.
RIDDLE QUESTION
WHAT HAS TWO FEET ON EACH SIDE AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE?
-- A YARDSTICK!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): MEASURMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
FORMULA SPEECH
WHEN SOMEONE WOULD SAY THE SAME THING AS YOU, AT THE SAME TIME, YOU
WERE SUPPOSED TO SAY "JINX ON A COKE; ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE,
SIX, SEVEN, ETC." AND THE OTHER PERSON WOULD HAVE TO SAY "STOP!"
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY STUDENT EDITOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
RIDDLE
IF A DIESEL WERE HEADING UP A HILL INTO A SEVENTY MILE AN
HOUR CROSS WIND WHICH WAY WOULD THE SMOKE GO?
-- NO DIRECTION BECAUSE DIESELS DON'T SMOKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): LEFT RIGHT NORTH EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
RIDDLE
IF A ROOSTER LAID AN EGG ON THE TOP OF A ROOF, WHICH WAY
WOULD THE EGG ROLL?
-- NEITHER, ROOSTERS DON'T LAY EGGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMAL LEFT RIGHT EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
RIDDLE
WHY IS ETERNITY LIKE A CIRCLE?
-- IT HAS NEITHER A BEGINNING NOR AN END.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS IN FERNDALE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ETERNITY CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
MARY THE GOLDFISH
MAY LAY DEAD ON THE FLOOR COMPLETELY NUDE. JOHN WAS
ASLEEP ON THE COUCH. THERE WAS A POOL OF WATER BESIDE
MARY AND ON OVERTURNED BOWL. HOW DID MARY DIE?
TELLER OR INFORMANT ANSWERE QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE ANSWERED
"YES" AND "NO" UNTIL THE STORY UNFOLDS.
-- MARY IS A GOLDFISH AND JOHN IS A CAT.
Submitter comment:
FIRST HEARD BY INFORMANT AROUND 1952. IT HAS BEEN PASSED
ON AND HEARD FREQUENTLY SINCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1952
RIDDLE
WHAT'S A VOLCANO?
A MONTAIN WITH HICCUPS.
Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): GEOLOGY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
RIDDLE
WHAT HAS A MOUTH AND A FORK, BUT NEVER EATS?
-- A RIVER.
Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): GEOLOGY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
CUSTOM
WHEN SOMEONE IN OUR FAMILY DIES, WE NEVER PUT A HEADSTONE ON THEIR
GRAVE UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR A YEAR. I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING
TO DO WITH THE TRAVEL OF THE SOUL.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A JEWISH CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CUSTOM
WHEN SOMEONE IN OUR FAMILY DIES, WE BURN A CANDLE IN A SPECIAL, SMALL
GLASS JAR FOR A WEEK. WE'RE BURNING IT FOR THE DEAD PERSON'S SPIRIT,
TO FEED THE SPIRIT. THEN ON EACH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH WE BURN
THE SAME CANDLE FOR A WEEK. THIS IS SO THE DEAD PERSON'S SOUL
KNOWS YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN HIM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A JEWISH CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- P647 |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GOOD LUCK CHARM
I WEAR A SMALL, GOLDEN HAND ON A CHAIN AROUND MY NECK, WITH A PIECE
OF TURQUOISE ON IT. IT WILL KEEP ME FROM EVIL. THIS HAND WAS GIVEN
TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN I WAS BORN--I HAVE IT ALWAYS WITH ME.
IT HAS MUCH POWER BECAUSE IT WAS MADE IN PALESTINE, ABOUT 1916.
Submitter comment:
THE HAND IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE HAND OF FATIMA, DAUGHTER OF THE
PROPHET MOHAMMED. IF THERE IS A TINY STONE SET INTO THE HAND, IT
REPRESENTS AN EYE--IT WILL THROW THE CURSE BACK DOUBLY ON ITS
ORIGINATOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CUSTOM
IN LEBANON WE HAVE A CUSTOM THAT IS FOLLOWED WHEN A MAN AND A WOMAN
MARRY. A WOMAN MUST BE A VIRGIN WHEN SHE MARRIES, SO ON THE NIGHT
AFTER THE WEDDING, THE COUPLE TAKES THEIR BLOODY SHEET TO THE HOUSES
OF BOTH THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVE THIS. IF THE WOMAN WAS NOT A VIRGIN,
HER HUSBAND WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIVORCE HER AT ONCE, AND HER
FAMILY WOULD LOSE THEIR HONOR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM FOLLOWED BY MUSLIMS IN LEBANON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING THE HYMEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I USED TO HAVE A GOOD-LUCK DOLL CALLED A WISH-NIK.
IT WAS SMALL, NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, WITH A TROLL'S FACE, AND IT
HAD LONG, BRIGHTLY COLORED HAIR. TO MAKE A WISH, YOU RUBBED ITS BELLY
OR STROKED ITS HAIR, WHILE THINKING OF WHAT YOU WANTED TO HAPPEN.
THE ORIGINAL WISH-NIKS HAD HORSESHOES STAMPED ON THE BOTTOM OF THEIR
FEET. WHEN THEY BECAME MORE COMMERCIALIZED, THEY STOPPED DOING THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
I HAVE CONVERTED AN OLD PRINTER'S TYPE CASE INTO A KITCHEN
WALL DECORATION.
Submitter comment:
THE COMPARTMENTS WERE FILLED WITH BEANS, GRAIN AND OTHER KITCHEN
OR FOOD ORIENTED ITEMS. GLASS WAS THEN USED TO SEAL THE ITEMS
IN AND TO ALLOW THEM TO BE VIEWED. THE CASE ALSO HOUSES A SPICE
RACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
I HAVE CONVERTED AN OLD GALVANIZED, COPPER-BOTTOMED OVAL WASH
TUB INTO A MAGAZINE RACK.
Submitter comment:
THE TUB WAS PAINTED BLACK AND DECALED WITH A SCENE DEPICTING AN
OLD GENERAL STORE. MAGAZINES ARE STACKED INSIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
WE USE AN OLD WOOODEN CABBAGE CUTTER AS A WALL DECORATION AND
"WHAT-NOT" SHELF.
Submitter comment:
THE CUTTER IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY EXCEPT FOR THE ADDITION OF
A HOOK SO THAT IT MAY BE HUNG. FIGURINES AND OTHER DISPLAY ITEMS
ARE ARRANGED IN THE BOX SHAPED PORTION WHICH SERVED TO HOLD THE
CABBAGE FOR CUTTING.
THIS ITEM IS ALSO CALLED A CABBAGE SHREDDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
LUCK
AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK TURNED UP IS GOOD LUCK, WITH HIS TRUNK
DOWN IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS ELEPHANT MAY BE A FIGURINE, A TOY ETC.
Where learned: ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMALS: ELEPHANTS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.31 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
Entry filtered.
CHIVARI
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, A GROUP OF CHILDREN WOULD WALK FROM ONE FARM TO THE
OTHER AND COLLECT FOOD. THIS FOOD WAS LATER GIVEN TO THE POOR.
Submitter comment:
MR. OULETTE AND HIS CHILDHOOD FRIENDS FOLLOWED THIS TRADITIONAL
PRACTICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM FIXED DATE
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, EACH CHILD IN THE FAMILY WOULD KNEEL
AND RECITE THE ACTS OF FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, AND CONTRITION
TO REMIND THE CHILDREN HOW UNWORTHY THEY WERE TO RECEIVE
THE GIFTS FROM SANTA. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WERE
OFFERING THESE PRAYERS IN THANKSGIVING FOR THE THINGS THEY
WOULD BE RECEIVING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 02-19-1970